#PG_E Grows Solar with $25,000 Grant

In support of the Obama Administration’s announcement on July 7, 2015 to increase access to solar energy for low- and moderate- income communities, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced a $25,000 commitment to GRID Alternatives North Valley to ensure solar is reaching underserved communities throughout the region.
Celebrating a decade-long partnership this year, PG&E and GRID Alternatives have interconnected solar for 2500 low-income households throughout Northern and Central California, including 380 in the North Valley region, saving local residents a combined $10.8 million over the systems’ lifetime.

GRID Alternatives is a national non-profit organization that makes renewable energy technology and job training accessible to underserved communities, bringing together community partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for low-income families. The North Valley office opened in Chico in 2012 to serve families in inland Northern California from Sacramento to Siskiyou County.

“Throughout our 10 year partnership, PG&E has proudly invested in GRID Alternatives’ efforts to ensure underserved communities have access to solar energy, which is critical to ensuring our clean energy future in California. Together, we are working to support local economic and workforce development, community vitality and continued growth in the solar industry,” said Laurie Giammona, senior vice president and chief customer officer for PG&E.

As part of this year’s grant, PG&E will expand its investment in GRID Alternatives’ SolarCorps program, supporting two solar installation fellows headquartered in Chico, as well as 6 more fellows throughout Northern and Central California. The program, which recently received a major investment from the Corporation for National and Community Service through AmeriCorps, provides motivated individuals the opportunity to join GRID Alternatives for one year to obtain on-the-job service training and preparation for a career in the solar or electric utility industry. In addition, PG&E volunteers are taking part in a number of solar installations as volunteers with GRID staff, including one installation taking place on October 2 in Chico, when as many as 10 PG&E employees will help install solar panels on a home in central Chico.